12 of 14 - The Nordic Model, Made in Sweden

“An effective approach to preventing trafficking and exploitation is the ‘Nordic model’, a human rights and gender equality-based approach also known as the ‘Swedish model’. This set of laws and policies penalizes the demand for commercial sex while decriminalizing individuals in prostitution and providing them with support services, including help for those who wish to exit prostitution. The Nordic model has two main goals: to curb the demand for commercial sex that fuels sex trafficking, and promote equality between men and women. It is based on an approach first adopted in Sweden in 1999, and followed by Norway and Iceland.”

“Several countries have followed Sweden’s example, and many more are considering this approach: Norway and Iceland passed similar laws in 2008 and 2009, respectively, and in December 2014, Northern Ireland became the first country in the UK to do so. Canada also adopted a law in this spirit in November 2014. In the last few years, Nordic-model style legislation has also been discussed in the parliaments of France, Ireland, Scotland and England and Wales. In early 2014, the parliaments of the European Union and the Council of Europe both adopted non-binding resolutions recommending member states to consider the Nordic Model.”